For international students and scholars, one of the trickier parts of understanding US health insurance is knowing it’s unique vocabulary. Here are some of the most common terms you will run across while using your insurance:
Claim: A request for payment from an insurance company.
Co-Payment: The portion of each medical services bill a person must pay from their own funds.
Deductible: Set amount that must be paid for medical services each policy year by a policyholder before the insurance company will begin payment.
Generic Prescription: Prescriptions generally identical to but cheaper than the “brand-name” version.
Network Provider: All physicians, hospitals, and other providers who have agreed to offer medical care to holders of an insurance policy.
Premium: Direct cost to purchase an insurance plan, not including the deductible and co-payments.
